How does one even do justice to a place like Kennebunk...and Kennebunkport...Maine...??? Everywhere you look it's just one gorgeous, quintessentially Coastal New England scene after another! And how does one actually go about capturing all there is to capture?!

And this is only ONE HOUSE!! Can you imagine what a romantic like me is up against in a place like this...?? With homes like these...??? Everywhere I look!!!

Yes, I'm still on the same house...haven't left yet! Do I really have to? You want to see more...?? I don't blame you! Here we are at dusk again...but I'll show you some of what I captured at Kennebunk....and Kennebunkport...right on the ocean...

And you just have to see The Wedding Cake House!
Are we in Maine...??? Or Bavaria...?? Or Sweden...??? Please tell me!!
We must be in a fairytale!

Even the water pump gets the royal treatment! Can you imagine what kind of romantic must have lived in this place...?? My kind of romantic...for sure!! : D

And now we're at the beach...looking northerly up this way...

And looking southerly in this direction...both beautiful! The large structure down there is actually this on closer look...

Mostly closed up for the winter...as are most of the homes down here...awaiting the bustling summer's return. Truthfully, I rather appreciate winter's quiet months...

Even though it was pretty frigid outside...we bundled up and loved seeing the icy shores! I just try not to think too much about shipwrecks of old in winters of old...along these rocky coasts! Brrrrrr! Sailors are definitely a rugged bunch!

More lovely homes...looking out to the ocean toward the easterly horizon....some old...some new....some have many tales they could tell....

And some are just beginning they're own stories now. If you'd love to see more winter scenes of the sea...and more wonderful homes by the shore...come view more of our Winter Fun!

Harlow Post popped his head in the door this past Sunday and invited us down for an impromptu sled party! His granddaughter, Emma, turned five this week! Happy Birthday Emma!

We're very much regulars at the Post Family Farm...their whole family (including Harlow's parents...Emma's great-grandparents) shares 100 acres and his daughters and their husbands are now in the process of building their own log homes on this multi-generational land. It's wonderful to see families facing modern times with old-fashioned values!! Great inspiration!

And now for some good old-fashioned winter fun!!

First trails through the deep powder!

Sled trail through the trees...for the truly adventurous!

Ride's over...now the trudge back up the hill!

Asheley 'hopping like a bunny' sequence...

Whew! That snow bunny can jump!

More rosy cheeks!

We later put on the downhill skis...as well as the cross-country skis and did some real schussing! Don't worry...we'll be back soon!
Now it's time for hot cocoa, ice cream, and Birthday cake!! : D

I would like to encourage all of you thrifty families out there to keep on hanging in there...and developing the crafty skills and know-how that are not only so enjoyable...but are very relevant for today! Along with thriftiness comes some ingenuity...and patience! We never can tell where or when we're going to find stuff at thrift stores and clearance racks. Sometimes it requires waiting until that good bargain comes along...which isn't always an easy thing to do!

So, to cheer us along in our thrift-conscious, creative, let's-just-be-patient endeavors, here are a few of our recent examples and experiences where thriftiness and patience pays...and now plays!! Ready? Here we go!!

We had yet to find Caitlyn her 'Big Gift' for her birthday. Everything was just too expensive...or the wrong size...or just not quite right in some form or fashion. So we were patient...and she was patient...and we kept our eyes out for just the right thing. This week on our trip to Portland, we had time to stop in at the local thrift store and would you believe...?? We found an L.L. Bean brand
...essentially new set of X-country skis and poles! The clencher was that some L.L. Bean basically new XC ski boots...which happened to be way over in the shoe section...not only fit Caitlyn perfectly but the skis, too....and the entire set boots and all for only $28!

And as you can see, she's having a blast with them! She's a quick learner...must be a natural....and has even gotten Mommy motivated to get her pair of X-country skis on! Yes! The ones that I bought ages ago and have only used...like...twice...maybe! Yippee!! : D

Now let's talk boots! We LOVE the winter in Maine with all the snow...however, there is a caveat. One must dress for the cold in order to actually enjoy the cold! Otherwise, let's just say, cold can become more pain than play!

My poor husband has been making do with some rubber boots...with numerous holes in them...that he's continued to plaster with duct tape. We've been on the hunt for good winter boots for all of us...especially for him! But these babies are expensive...even at the outlet stores!!

The boots above were found for us by our friend, Mary, who volunteers to sort clothes for a charity organization (any wool, damaged, stained, etc. items are bagged up as 'rags' and gotten rid of...foreign charities refuse to take them). As you can probably guess, many of the items that are 'refused as rags' are actually still in good shape...or just in need of a little mending. She says, "Just tell me what you need and I'll try to find it for you! I'm always finding stuff for people!" We didn't even tell her about the boots...the next day she had bags and bags of stuff for us....and guess what! These boots she had pulled out just in case they might fit someone. They fit Andrew perfectly!! And he has a very difficult time finding boots that fit right (hence all the duct tape)! Cool or what?? Patience pays!

Our children have been making do with the cheapo winter boots we bought on sale at Wal-Mart for only $5 (marked up later to $20). We found our son a good pair on sale at Reny's around Christmas...but the search had yet been unfruitful for the others. Our daughter, Heather, has been oh so patient with the lack of insulation in her winter boots...and her very cold feet most of the time lately. Well, after her toes nearly froze on our outdoor excursion this week, we happened onto a boot sale at Reny's where we got her a very expensive pair of boots...rated for -30 degrees...marked clear (40% off 40%!) down to $18. And she now exclaims over and over how snuggy her feet are!

At the same time as we found Caitlyn's X-country skis, we also landed these ice skates...3 pair between $3-5 and one of them even fit moi! So now I have NO EXCUSE not to go ice skating! The other 2 pair fit the girls...we already have a small pair for Asheley that we found on sale when we first moved to Maine. Now we're just on the lookout for a pair of skates for our son...and Daddy, too, if he so desires! Hint: He skates in theory...not exactly in practice! ; )

SO now let's go play!!! The Pinnacle in Pittsfield is a wonderful place to try out the new winter stuff! It's free during the week...you just have to hike yourself up to the top...

We made it there not long before dusk...but I think there's still enough light to show you around a bit...

This is the little lodge at the base of the hill...

And of course the big stone chimney is what every quaint ski lodge must have...or it's just not as quaint...

More sledders and sliders...and were they ever whizzin' down fast!

Beautiful winter sky!

Our visit was a little short...but it was a great taste of more to come!

Out our door...
into our winter scene...
of icey white mounds of snow icing...
on everything...

Last year we got our first snow the day after Thanksgiving. This year we got our first good dusting two days before Thanksgiving. Hmmm, could this mean something...?? Nah. The children are soooo excited! I'm glad that I dug out all the snow gear earlier this Fall, too. See? I'm learning! I'm not a total dunce in the 'organization and preparedness' dept. Anyway, it does getcha in the Holiday mood, doesn't it?

I believe that what they really love about snow is eating it! Snow slushies here we come! On the warm and snuggly topic, I also want to share with you sevensmooches.com...a darling website with adorable felted sweaters and goodies...started by two moms who collaborated their creativity. Enjoy! And have a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving! : )

This morning we heard such a loud chorus and honking going on...as the largest flock of Canadian Geese we've seen yet were circling around overhead. I wish that I had gotten it on video...just so that you could hear them. You can't imagine how loud they are! We live near a lake where the geese gather...before they take off for their long trek south.
Oh! This is a sign winter is definitely on its way!

Three stragglers...but we could hear each one of their calls!
They're so lovely...

Bye Bye Geese! See you next Spring!

My enormous TREAT today was to be swooped up by Jennifer and Susan (Jen's mom) and carried down to the Booth Bay area for more fun treats of pumpkin lattes, cherry cinnamon coffee cakes...and of course lots and lots of eye candy! That's right...it was another one of our special girly days and did we ever cover some fantastic and always idyllic Maine territory! And please, don't even ask me where all we went because I completely lost track! All I know is that it was picturesquely unpretentiously Maine perfect! Say that 10 times fast!

This is where we ate lunch...or at least where they ate lunch...I just went straight for dessert with a most generous portion of coffee cake packed full of huge fresh cherries. I loved this little deli called "Treats" with its exposed brick walls, oversized baskets, rustic furniture, colorful pottery, delectable local cheeses in every size, shape, and form....among numerous other scrumptious items too lengthy to mention.

A couple of doors down was this quaint little florist shop where I greatly admired  the red speckled stool and perched pumpkin atop...and all of the berries upon bunches of berries...along with that prickly little porky-pine in the window....is he a cute little fella or what...??

A ways down the street on the other side was Rock Paper Scissors and their cornucopia of colorful cards and everything craft and paper goods...

As well as Smitten that provided an eclectic array of modern country Maine....if you can imagine such a thing! I know it's a bit of a stretch so you'll simply have to see it for yourself!

The final stop was at Alewives that is the fabric store to beat all fabric stores. I could just sit in this shop and imbibe its interior for hours! Their front porch alone kept my camera buzzing (as you'll see!) and it's all nestled amongst wonderful rambling farmhouses on a coastal inlet. By the way, Alewives (ALL-wives) is named after a fish indigenous to this area. They are, in fact, building up some fish ladders beautifully done out of stone for the purposes of these fish. Unfortunately I don't know all the details...but don't worry...we will definitely be back!

UPDATE by Jen:
Stopped in Woolwich first at Ed's stuff, then onto Wiscassett (ate at Treats) visited Rock Paper Scissors and Smitten and that other wonderful place (can't remember the name!)  Damariscotta was next (North Cottage Coffee, I think), and then I think Alewives is technically in Nobleboro... wait a minute...Alewives is in Damariscotta Mills!
It WAS fun!!

So that's where we went! Whew!

And yes, this is me (below) grinning from ear to ear having just personally caressed Amy Butler fabrics up close and personally, grabbed a free pattern for a darling grocery tote, and surveyed gorgeously handmade quilts, aprons, woven rugs, floor cloths as well as numerous cutely contrived children's outfits. And last but certainly not least, I viewed the pages of Anna Maria's pristine new book hot off the press...Seams To Me...Amy Butler's book for little ones...and Purl Bee's most recent publication, Patchwork + Quilted Gifts, all of which I must have in some future sewing room or bookshelf! By the way, while you're over on Purl Bee you've got to check this out! Thanks so much, Jen and Susan...you're the greatest!

It's that time of the year once again....my birthday (that I determined to quit counting several years ago) rolled along inevitably yesterday. And, as usual, my sweet, darling family made it very special for me. My husband had bought some old-fashioned shingle making tools off e-bay (that's a whole other topic unto itself) and it turned out that the person he bought them from was in Ellsworth...not too far from here...along the coast on Hwy 1...which also happens to be a beautiful drive!

We went through Bucksport and over their newly constructed bridge. And, yes, you can even climb up to the top of the tower and take in an incredible view....that I can only imagine how incredible it is since we didn't actually go up there this time.

But we did go over the bridge...which the children thought was a great thrill anyway! Bucksport is actually an innovative little town on this big river. It has a huge paper plant and the local residents are assertively looking into fully creating and providing their own energy for the entire town...exclusively from this river. Pretty neat, huh! I just love little towns with big ideas!

And talk about BIG ideas...or at least BIG on chickens...on the way back we stopped in at the Chicken Barn that our friends have raved about and we had yet to discover for ourselves. As you can see this place was an old chicken barn...and is also absolutely massive!

The above photo is one half...and the other half is in the bottom photo. Can we spell B-I-G...??!! The first floor is crammed full of antiques and collectibles of every variety imaginable...and the upstairs is stocked to the rafters with used and rare books, magazines, posters, you name it. If it's used and printed on paper, it's bound to be in this place!

We were a little late getting back home but I did breeze in for my final sewing class that I signed up for this Fall. We loved it so much that we begged our instructor to teach another session in January...and she has sweetly consented! So my wonderfully delicious sewing days are not over for good! Yay!

Daddy and the kiddos picked me up after my class then we proceeded to dive into the most decadent of chocolate chocolate cakes that my children could manage to scrounge up for me! What are birthdays for after all...??

Our Homeschool World's Fair finally took place this past weekend and...do you mind if we brag a bit here?? It was an absolute raving success!! We were all so thrilled with the turn-out and support from our little community up here in rural Maine as well as the wonderful job the children and families did in preparing their various countries. It was just too much fun...and the food was fantastic, too!

So I'm going to begin with some of our preparation first...

Since my husband and I both have Scandinavian roots...as well as Irish...him Norway and me Swedish...we chose to do Sweden. My mom's grandparents came over from Sweden and she has their Swedish Bible, a Swedish schoolbook, an old photograph, and a Swedish Bible Primer. Mom also made all the little costumes for the children as well. Thanks Mom!!

Let me introduce you to our Swedish relatives...don't they look exactly like our children...?? This is Kristin.

And this is young, dapper Lars.

And here we have our lovely Brita...holding the folkdrakt bag that she made herself.

Let's not forget little barefoot I-have-a-blister-on-my-heel Kersti, here. (Mom found this adorable outfit at a thrift store!)

Here's the Swedish table all set-up...ready to go!

While Mom was here this summer, she embellished these aprons some more for us...adding trim, ruffles, and pockets...just can't have enough of those, ya know!

These precious painted little Swedish tiles I borrowed from Heather's Swedish supply of knick-knacks....as well as these adorable hearts below with Swedish prayers painted on them. Her husband, Erik, happens to also be half Swedish. We're begging her mother-in-law to come and teach us all some songs and prayers in Swedish!

These are our Swedish family heirlooms....including the photo of my great-grandparents, Charlie and Elsie Wallgren.

And these are the folkdrakt bags that the girls made themselves...

We found these wonderful snacks at Mary's shop in Portland, Simply Scandinavian. Andrew also whipped up the Swedish almond cake from the recipe we got there. Our new favorite Swedish recipe, I must say! The round of Farmer cheese was also a great hit....served on these large round rye crackers called Korsnas Knacke with lingonberry jam on top. Too yummy!

Mary also insisted upon giving us this CD once she heard of our World's Fair...along with blue and yellow striped ribbons and heart shaped bird seed for the kiddos to put out for the birdies. She is just too sweet...you must go visit Mary!

Books by Carl Larsson...my absolutely favorite of all time Swedish artist. His endearing renderings of home and farm life from the late 1800's are charming beyond description!

So here we are...at the Grange Hall...and Isaiah graciously posed for me under the banner that we finally finished...that morning!

But now hanging there in its proper place...it came out not too shab after all! What do ya think...????

We couldn't believe the turn-out....we were packed the entire time...which, of course, makes it all the more enjoyable for everyone!

Now let's take a meander around the room...

The Thibeau's chose to explore France...even bringing a dessert cake flavored with fresh lavender....that was absolutely scrumptious, by the way!

Missionaries from Costa Rica prompted interest in this country for the Sanders family.

An exchange student from Japan provided all sorts of interesting memories for the Day family...

Australia was also a popular country to investigate....and after spending 3 months there myself is definitely one of my favorites!

Caleb and Eli had a wonderfully creative and colorful Australian set-up!

Delightful foods and photos were found on the Grant's tables with representations from China and India. I somehow missed Eliza in her beautifully exotic full Indian costume! I also missed adorable Mattie in her little German frock carrying around a huge basket of gummy bears. Did you know gummy bears were invented in Germany? I never knew that!

The Strong's boys are learning how to sail from a retired, extremely knowledgeable sea captain that has lived in the Virgin Islands for many years. They would love to take a year to simply sail for awhile....that is if they can convince Tina (their mom...who's not thrilled about water....nor knows how to swim) that living on a boat is such a super fantastic idea! Go for it, Tina!! So they provided a lovely exhibit of those gorgeous islands.

And this was just a quick run through when I could tear myself away from our own table hub-bub for a brief peek at all the other fun stuff going on. I know I've left so much out, but please come back again next year! We may just make this an annual tradition! Thank you everyone who participated in making this whole event such a special occasion! And thank you, Sherry, for such a tremendous idea!

What do we do on a misty, moisty morning? Why, have a tea party picnic....of course!

And everyone's invited!